Keep in mind that the most recent research of SM in cavaliers (555 cavaliers, to be precise) concludes that "the optimum age for this early MRI screening is 36 months". So, breeding any cavalier under the age of 36 months risks producing puppies with greater than a 50% likelihood of being SM-affected.

How come the new guidelines don't incorporate those findings, instead of expressly contradict them?

13th January 2012, 04:12 PM

RodRussell

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodRussell

The consequence is not that the breeders need another excuse, it is that they will use it to convince otherwise ignorant buyers that such glaringly underaged breedings are okay, indeed "recommended by specialists." ...

I want to amend that "recommended by specialists" quote, to make it "recommended by specialists, the BVA, and the Kennel Club!"

15th January 2012, 08:59 AM

kurtz

Sorry for my poor english.

Every kind of protocol old or new is absolutely not efficient, if there is countries as my country (Italy) where the "mafia breed system" hidden everything, near the all dogs or puppies born in Italy there is unscanned for CM/SM, the age of mothers and fathers is only a glass water inside the ocean. I think that not only in Italy there is this problem, and everything you can try to do is very very small if all the world not collaborate.
It seems the war of Don Chishotte, I try to support your ideas, but i loose sure 100%.

15th January 2012, 06:04 PM

RodRussell

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurtz

Sorry for my poor english.

Every kind of protocol old or new is absolutely not efficient, if there is countries as my country (Italy) where the "mafia breed system" hidden everything, near the all dogs or puppies born in Italy there is unscanned for CM/SM, the age of mothers and fathers is only a glass water inside the ocean. I think that not only in Italy there is this problem, and everything you can try to do is very very small if all the world not collaborate.
It seems the war of Don Chishotte, I try to support your ideas, but i loose sure 100%.

kurtz, you are correct that Italy is not unique in this regard. Maybe you call it the mafia breed system, but the same types of breedings take place everywhere. In the US, names for it include "puppy mills", "backyard breeders", and even "ethical breeders". Yes, "ethical breeders", or at least cavalier breeders who call each other that, ignore genetic health testing for CM/SM, as well as for MVD, eye disorders, luxating patellas, hip dysplasia; it goes on and on...